What is "autunite"

Autunite \Au"tun*ite\, n. [From Autun, France, its locality.] (Min.) A lemon-yellow phosphate of uranium and calcium occurring in tabular crystals with basal cleavage, and in micalike scales. H., 2-2.5. Sp. gr., 3.05-3.19.

n. (context mineral English) A yellow mineral with tetragonal crystals, calcium(uraniumoxygen₂)₂(phosphorusO₄)₂'''·'''10-12water.

Autunite (hydrated calcium uranyl phosphate) with formula: Ca(UO)(PO)·10-12HO is a yellow - greenish fluorescent mineral with a hardness of 2 - 2½. Autunite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and often occurs as tabular square crystals. Due to the moderate uranium content of 48.27% it is radioactive and also used as uranium ore. If the mineral dries out, it converts to meta-autunite-I, which can turn into meta-autunite-II after heating. These two subsequent minerals are very rare in nature. For scientific studies it is recommended to store the mineral in a sealed container to minimize the water loss. Museums are known to have covered the mineral with lacquer to avoid drying of the mineral.

Autunite was discovered in 1852 near Autun, France. It occurs as an oxidation product of uranium minerals in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal deposits. Associate minerals include metaautunite, torbernite, phosphuranylite, saleeite, uranophane and sabugalite.